The Magic of Ordinary Days

Livy is a bright, ambitious archaeologist-in-training who finds herself pregnant and facing a culturally loaded decision. She navigates an arranged marriage with grace, balancing duty with a longing for exploration and discovery. Her intelligence and resilience drive her to protect her future and craft a life on the frontier.

Ray is a steady, patient farmer who manages his land with quiet honesty. He carries deep losses from the war and is committed to protecting his new wife and child. His practical, reliable nature gradually reveals a capacity for tenderness and devotion.

Abby arrives with concern and a desire to keep her sister safe, providing a lens of family scrutiny. She embodies the tension between loyalties to kin and understanding of the difficult choices Livy faces. Her presence adds emotional pressure and support.

Martha offers warmth, steadiness, and nonjudgmental support within the neighboring family circle. She reminds Livy of unconditional care and resilience in hard times. Her counsel helps anchor the moral center of the story.

Walter is a German POW living under an alias, whose accent betrays his true identity. His relationship with Florence complicates his survival, highlighting the personal costs of war and captivity. He embodies the human costs and moral ambiguities of wartime loyalties.

Florence is a skilled tailor inside Camp Amache who demonstrates resourcefulness and courage. She crafts an MP disguise for her partner and forms a pivotal friendship with Livy that broadens perspectives beyond the camp walls.

Rose is a former college student who has found a voice and intellect within confinement. Her resilience and curiosity help Livy navigate new ideas and the complexities of wartime life. She becomes an ally in the shared quest for freedom and dignity.